We just watched Sammy Ameobi’s interviewed after the game on nufcTV and the local lad comes across – well like a local lad – and he was delighted to get on against for the Newcastle first team yesterday and he got a great ovation from the crowd – that was really great to see.
You can say what you like about Sammy’s abilities and consistency, but he’s just a smashing lad who bleeds back and white blood.
Sammy seems to have matured a lot and he was so humble in his interview and says he will not take anything for granted in what is likely to be his final season at his home some town club.
The odds are that he will be released in the summer when his contract runs out.
Sammy Ameobi – back from loan deal at Bolton
But Sammy really enjoyed it yesterday and Rafa has seen the quality this lad has always had as the manager said this about him after the 4-0 win against the Millers yesterday:
“He did well, the fans were happy with him.”
“He started the game really well. We know he has quality and he has to show this on the pitch.
“He is training really well and I am pleased for him. We knew we needed a player like him who can bring quality in the wider area and he showed some of that against Rotherham.”
“He did that today.”
If there is a manager in football who can bring the best out of Sammy Ameobi it’s Rafa Benitez and we’ll see Sammy again and he could even start the game at Oxford United in the FA Cup 4th round tie next Saturday.
It was also good to see young Jamie Sterry get on near the end and along with regular left-back Paul Dummett we saw three Academy graduates on the field for Newcastle at the end of the game.
That’s always good and another indication of how Rafa is willing to give the Newcastle youngsters their chance if they train hard and give everything in the games.
Maybe that’s another message Rafa is sending to owner Mike Ashley, who must have been pleased with both the performance and the result yesterday that took us 9 points clear of 3rd placed Huddersfield Town.
Comments welcome.
94 comments so far
hibbit
Jan 22, 2017 at 11:58 AM
Comment #81Steak and Kidney Pie
i was there mate and every time he warmed up the crowd were giving him a lift way before he went on which was the climax to it all
Steak and Kidney Pie
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:01 PM
Comment #82Jail, I think a player like Sammy would have gotten a smoother transition into Boro’s first team than he did into ours, and so he would have been better prepared to succeed. The Boro shirt being a good one, but nowhere near as heavy, and the club not as oddly run as we have in recent years. Sammy is a talented player, maybe not good enough for our first team, but I don’t think you can say his development was handled ideally or that coming through the ranks at Newcastle and breaking into the first team at a young age at all an easy thing to do.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:06 PM
Comment #83Jimmy,
If that’s the case then you have to apply that same logic to every single player that doesn’t make it at a big club. Whether our particular youth system is to blame is an entirely different subject and then applies to loads of different players that were supposed to be future stars.
Ron Knee
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:12 PM
Comment #84Extended highlights available on NUFCTV.
Steak and Kidney Pie
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:15 PM
Comment #85Well I was talking about our youth system and in particular Sammy, who is a youth product and has been considered good enough to play for us over 50 times in the EPL and also the England under 21’s, so the talent is clearly there. I’m suggesting he probably would have been further down the track and he been at a slightly lesser club, with a better record of bringing through young players.
WWSBRD
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Comment #86hibbit
Don’t get me wrong I don’t think much of Sammy but if the choice is between him and Gouffran it’s Samuel for me
People seem to forget we’ve seen Gouffran true colours, good time player much like Colo was but when the chips are down he’ll soon disappear again
SPRINGY
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Comment #87Hibbit/jail
Sammy should only be offered an extension if he contributes from now till the end of the season in my eyes,….no guarantee that he will or that he will be offered one,people were shouting for goofy to be offered a new deal and he was bloody useless in premier last 2 seasons, done ok this season upto now so if sammy comes in and does equally as good…maybe he’s worth lookin at in same way as goofy……yes,ideally we want better then both but we may need to strengthen other areas first…..luckily we as supporters leave it up to rafa to sort out.
lesh
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:29 PM
Comment #88Springy
Sammy can try as much as he can but he hasn’t got what we need in terms of quality on the flanks.
Rafa’s words (“He is training really well and I am pleased for him. We knew we needed a player like him who can bring quality in the wider area and he showed some of that against Rotherham.”
“He did that today.”) might come back on him when Ashley reads them as saying we’ve got a winger and therefore don’t need another just now.
The best thing for all concerned might be that Sammy was impressive enough for another club to take him on loan with a view to a permanent deal. Ashley won’t sanction a spend until he’s convinced that Rafa’s looked at all options and reduces the squad to accommodate incomers.
Oh what fun it is to be a Toon fan.
SPRINGY
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:30 PM
Comment #89Just been watchin goals on 5 and that hourihane people were talkin about last week on here scored a cracker yesterday for barnsley, apparently scored 6 goals and 11 assists so far this season and possibly on his way to villa….must admit got my wires crossed with him…thought he was at norwich but thats houlihane! Lol
Jail for Ashley
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:32 PM
Comment #90Jimmy,
Willo played for us 169 times, if we’d been run like a proper football club Sammy wouldn’t have made anywhere near that amount of starts.
magspuggy
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:39 PM
Comment #91I like Sammy and hope he takes this chance and becomes a better player and stays with us . This has to be his chance as the club will have stepped up and left him (and others) behind by the summer.
If we don’t buy in Jan he might just get that chance,
Got to be his last throw of the dice imho.
Nufc-83
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:41 PM
Comment #92Jail i disagree on Dummet as he looks exactly like what he does when he is playing in the prem. very solid defensively but awful going forward and that has remained regardless of the drop in competition.
I do get your point though as Gouffran is looking 10x the player and that is not down to Rafa he has just found his level.
On sammy as I said yesterday morning I wouldn’t be so quick to write him off as he clearly has talent and played very well for us during Europe league runs in the past. The problem with him is that real drive and determination to succeed as mentioned the mr nice guy attitude. I think this is something that can be coached and Rafa is surely better than anyone to do that.
TyneMouth
Jan 22, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Comment #93It would appear that no one knows for certain all the factors relating to Townsend’s transfer to Palace, and what options are on the table regarding his return to Tyneside.
If it is correct that Palace triggered Townsend’s release clause, and paid £13m, most people would assume that £13m changed hands.
However it now appears that an installment of £3m is scheduled to be paid this month. Assuming that this installment is the second one, that leaves £7m outstanding. A third installment is presumed due in the Summer.
Townsend’s return to SJP will either be as a loan to buy, or a straight forward sale. There have been suggestions that a loan would incur a fee for half a season! If that is true then if we buy Townsend can we expect a loan fee for the first part of this season?
The reason that Sam wants rid of Townsend is to get funding for a replacement. If, and it’s a very big if, we pay the same as we sold him for, then the only cash Sam would get is the first deposit, (assuming it was paid last August.) which would be £3m. He would also save another £3m due to us this month.
Either way this transfer will only have a minor value to Palace. A temporary salary reduction at best.
If Townsend returns where will he play? Drop Ritchie, really!
Make him the top earner! Explain that to the dressing room, good luck will that.
This possible transfer would not be debated if Townsend hadn’t chosen Palace in the first place. A player with such appalling lack of career ambition doesn’t deserve the shirt at SJP.
He’s history, £13m can be better spent elsewhere. Time to move on…
toonbrother
Jan 22, 2017 at 3:01 PM
Comment #94Sammy’s cool
I’d much rather have him in the squad than Armstrong
I predict he will impress |Rafa and earn himself a new contract before the summer
Good luck Sam